Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-01-16

GAZED AIflENTlAELY AT ME.
My suspic;ons Of my host grew at last
10 such a pitch that | determined to com.
municate them 10 my friend. Nothing
would have been easier for a villainous
half-breed, with the aid Of an acc0mpIice
than to cut our thfOats or shoot us while
we were asleep. and 50 get our guns,
watches and whatever money we carr ed.
Wh0. in those lonely woods, would hear
the shots or hear our cries for help? What
emissary of the law, however sharp,
could point out our graves In those wild
woods, or bring the murder home TO
those who had committed it? Charlie at
first laughed, then grew serious, and
finally became convert to my Rpprehen-
eions. We hurriedly agreed that while
one slept tbeSotber should watch, and so
take it IN turns through the night. Pedro
had surrendered TO US his couch OF deer
skins and his blankets; be said that he
himself could sleep quite as well on the
floor near the fire. AS Charlie and / were
tired, we were anxious to get to rest as
soon as possible; so, after hearty meal
of deersteak and tough cakes, washed
down by a good draught from our brandy
flask, l, being the youngest, got the first
sleep, and flung myself down upon the
coucn OF skins. AS my eyes gradually
closed, | saw dim picture OF Charlie
seat d, sternly watching by the fire, and
the long shape Of the hali-Drecd stretch
ing out like huge shadow on the floor.
After what / could have sworn TO have
been only three-mlnute dOzo, Charlie
woke me; aud, turning me out of my
warm nest, he lay down without any
ceremony, and in a few minutes was
sleeping heavily. rubbed my eyes, felt
for my revolver, and, seating myself on
one of the pine stumps, commenced my
watch. the bali-bTeed appeared to be
buried in aprofound slumber, and IN the
half weird light cast by the woode n
embers his enormous figure seemed al
most titanic in it's proportions. | confess
| felt that in a struggle for life he was
more than match for Charlie and my
self. then looked at the fire and began
favOrite amusement of mine--shaping
forms in the emhers; battles, tempests at
sea; familiar faces; and above all shonc
bright and clear the dear features OF my far
away Bertha. She seemed TO smile at me
through burning haze, and could al
most fancy | heard her say: "While
you are watching in the lonely forest |
am thinking OF you and praying for your
safety"
A slight movement on the part OF the
slumbering halt-treed recalled me from
those sweet dreams. He turned on his
side, lifted himself slowly on his elbow
ard gazed attentlvely at me. | did not
stir-still retaining my STOPPING attitude
Il bali closed my eyes and remained
motlonless. Doubtless ne thought ! was
asleep, for in a moment or two he rose
nOiseessly, and, creeping with a stealthy
step across the floor, passed out of the
hut. | listened! Oh, now eagerly! II
seemed to me that through the imperfeotly
joined crevices OF the log walls could
plainly hear voices whispering. | would
nave given worlds TO have creDt nearer
to listen, tut | was fearful Of disturbing
the fancied serenity OF our host, who,
now ielt certain, had sinister designs
upon us. The whispering suddenly ceased I;
the half-breed Te-entered the hut in the
same stealthy way In which he had quitt-
ed il, and, after giving q scrutinizing
glance at me, once more stretched him
self upon the floor and affected to sleep.
In few moments / pretended TO awake,
yawned, looked at my watch, and finding
that my hour had more than expired, pro-
ceeded TO wake Charlie.
As turned him out Of bed, | whispered
in his ear: "Don't take your eyes of that
fellow. Charlie, he mas accompices out
side; DO careful" Charlie gave a mean
ing glance. and careles-ly touched his
revolver, as much as TO say, "Hcre is
something TO interfere with his little
arrangements" and then took mis- seat
on the pine stump In such post
ton as To command view Of the Sleep
Ing half-breed and the doorway at the
same time.
This time, though horribly tired, could
not sleep. terrible load seemed press
ing o. my chest. and every five minutes |
would start up TO see If Charlie was true
to his watch. My nerves were strung 10
friebtful pitch o. intensity; NY heart
beat at every sound, and my head seem 4